FANZA was proud to help bring a very special literary evening to life at Australia House this week, working closely with the Australian High Commission and the Stella Prize to gather an extraordinary mix of Australian writers, publishers, literary agents, festival curators and cultural champions.

UK-based Māori artist and designer Frederick Worrell has been awarded £12,500 from Arts Council England to expand his striking immersive practice exploring light, reflection and perception through large-scale installation works.

Australian dancer Rebecca Bassett-Graham has secured two major nominations at the 26th National Dance Awards, presented by The Critics' Circle.

Australian writer and illustrator Lee Lai has made history by becoming both the first non-binary author and the first graphic novelist to win the prestigious Stella Prize.

A major new permanent public artwork by Tasmanian-born, London-based artist and designer Brodie Neill has been installed at One Leadenhall in the City of London financial district.

FANZA is delighted to once again support House of Oz as it returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer with a vibrant showcase of Australian creativity across theatre, comedy, circus, dance and family entertainment.

Omar Musa has been awarded the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Award for Fiction for his novel Fierceland.

Australian performer Trevor Ashley has been nominated for a 2026 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

A major portrait by New Zealand-born artist Sarah Jane Moon has been acquired for Aotearoa New Zealand’s national collection at the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Andy Griffiths, one of Australia's most beloved and bestselling children's authors, has been named the ninth Australian Children's Laureate for 2026–2027. The creator of the internationally bestselling Treehouse series — illustrated by Terry Denton and loved by millions of young readers worldwide, including a huge following in the UK — Griffiths takes over from outgoing Laureate Sally Rippin.

Australian novelist Tim Winton has been longlisted for the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize for his novel Juice. The £10,000 prize, founded by Rose Goddard, Imran Khan and Leo Barasi and supported by Climate Spring, celebrates the most inspiring novels tackling the climate crisis. The shortlist will be announced on 18 March, with the winner revealed at the Hay Festival on 30 May.

Acclaimed Goorie (Aboriginal) author Melissa Lucashenko has been longlisted for the 2026 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction — one of the world's most prestigious literary awards, worth £25,000 — for her epic novel Edenglassie.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has won Best Political Book by a Non-Parliamentarian at the 2025 Westminster Book Awards for her memoir A Different Kind of Power. The award was presented on Wednesday 4 February 2026 at a ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament.

Royal Ballet Principal dancer Steven McRae has been named Australian of the Year in the UK, recognised for his outstanding achievements and contribution to cultural life in Britain. The award was presented at the Australia Foundation's Annual Gala Dinner in London, which brings together the UK–Australian community to celebrate excellence across a broad range of fields.

The powerful Australian-written play Inter Alia has been recognised at the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, receiving nominations in two major categories — including Best New Play and a nod for Rosamund Pike in the Best Performer in a Play category.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been shortlisted for the 2025 Westminster Book Awards, recognised in the category of Best Political Book by a Non-Parliamentarian for A Different Kind of Power.

A landmark work of Māori art history has been honoured at the 2025 Apollo Awards, with Toi Te Mana: An Indigenous History of Māori Art named Book of the Year.

FANZA is greatly saddened by the death of Skye Gyngell, the influential Australian chef whose innovative approach to food helped reshape the way Britain cooks and eats. She died in London on 22 November, surrounded by family and loved ones, aged 62.